Two-Faced Princess

“Yeah, it’s already turning red.” As the red light started to seep into the sky, the surface of the lake reflected the same color. There was a subtle change in the air surrounding the two of them. “It’s beautiful, Uriel.”

Though it was a comment about the scenery, it felt like she was saying it directly to him. The corner of Uriel’s mouth instantly formed a deep smile. The sound of her voice calling his name seemed like something he could never tire of hearing.

“Uriel.” As if she could read his thoughts, Apollonia called out to Uriel once again. She let go of his shoulder and stood facing him. “I have something to give you too.” From within her robe, she took out a small white pouch that looked ordinary. “It was made by the most talented sorcerer in the empire. It’s said to have the power of protection.”

Uriel raised an eyebrow. Apollonia smiled mischievously and handed him the pouch.

“If it truly has the power of protection, Your Highness should keep it.” He said. He wasn’t entirely convinced of how remarkable the item was, but if it could be of help to Apollonia, he wanted her to keep it.

“Uriel, the power of protection in these enchanted items is not really that significant. No matter who created it, it’s usually just an ornament that provides psychological comfort.” Apollonia grasped his fist tightly with both hands, preventing him from opening his hand to take the pouch. Uriel nodded in understanding. Magic was like a kind of mathematics. There always had to be a specific answer to what a particular spell would produce, and objects that were said to possess the vague efficacy of a ‘protective power’ were often nothing more than decorative items that provided emotional stability. If it was created by Amoretta, it might be a bit special, but… “Similar claims are made about Darma Yu tea, but drinking the tea doesn’t grant immortality. It simply sharpens the body and mind and brings a bit of luck. The boundaries between life and death are still in the realm of the gods.”

“Then why are you giving this to me?” Uriel asked. He wasn’t particularly fond of decorative pouches like this.

“I never actually carried it around with me even after receiving it,” Apollonia said with a faint smile. Perplexity flickered across Uriel’s face. Apollonia didn’t take her own life lightly, and she wasn’t the type to reject an object that could be of help in terms of survival or attaining a higher position. “I didn’t believe in its efficacy, but even if it did exist, I didn’t want to entrust my fate to luck or magic.” Within her gentle smile, a resolute determination shone. “I wanted to attain the throne solely by my own will. If it’s meant to be mine, it should come into my hands without relying on such charms. Shall we say that on the day I sit on the throne guarded by my father, I wanted to have the certainty that it was my position regained through my strength?”It was a kind of delusion. Apollonia appreciated the talent and utilized it well, but she had the stubbornness to navigate through life without relying on magic or anything else.

Uriel wore an even more puzzled expression. “Then why…?” He also didn’t want to rely on charms. Moreover, he had unpleasant memories of being controlled by magic. Apollonia momentarily closed her mouth and looked into Uriel’s eyes before taking a step closer to him. Their bodies drew near as if about to touch, and there was a sudden surge of strength in Uriel’s right hand holding the pouch.

“It’s because I want to protect you, even if it means relying on an item like this.” She whispered in Uriel’s ear. As her breath touched his ear, Uriel’s whole body trembled. The two of them stood close for several seconds. The subtle scent of countless flowers mixed with the faint aroma of Apollonia stimulated his sense of smell. “Uriel, there’s not much I can give you.” She slightly pulled away, looking into Uriel’s eyes once again as she spoke. “I depend on you and love you, but…” As the word ‘love’ came out of her mouth, Uriel’s heart throbbed wildly, just like it had in Knox’s hut. “I can’t promise something like marriage,” Apollonia said, whether she knew his reaction or not, with a bittersweet tone. Uriel nodded. Even without considering the unresolved situation with Caelion, her words were so obvious. Uriel, who had a plausible title and territory but lacked independent power or background, held little value as a nobleman. The fact that he would marry a commoner could be used against her by some nobles. “I can’t offer you a peaceful and stable life for now. You might continue to be in danger because of me.” Apollonia said again. “That’s why I’m giving you this. I want to protect your safety, no matter what you rely on. Before, it didn’t hold much meaning to me, but when I think that you have it, it gives me some peace of mind.”Uriel’s heart thumped once again. Apollonia was making an exception for Uriel by bending her principle of not entrusting her destiny to luck or magic.

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